The Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights considers
that the 1990 Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam, whilst
not legally binding, has symbolic value and political significance
in terms of human rights policy under Islam. However, it fails to
reconcile Islam with universal human rights, especially insofar
as it considers Sharia law as its sole source of reference and does
not recognise certain rights.

The committee considers that where human rights are concerned
there is no room for religious or cultural exceptions. Member States
and partners for democracy should bolster religious pluralism, tolerance
and equal rights of all. The committee also stresses that the European
Convention on Human Rights is an international instrument binding
on all States Parties.

This report also addresses the actual application of Sharia
principles in certain member States and makes country-specific recommendations.